The Aston Martin DB5 is the ultimate Bond car, but there were many others before and after that make the cut of our 10 Best Bond Cars list.

Much like the movies, MI6 agent 007 has had a roller coaster history with his rides of choice. From American muscle to timeless British classics and everything in between, there are few types of cars, or vehicles in general for that matter, that James Bond hasn’t piloted over 50-plus years of films.

1962 Sunbeam Alpine

The Alpine was the first Bond car, making its appearance in a mountain road chase with a hearse in 'Dr. No' in 1962.

(Aurum Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing)

Bond’s first ride was one of his best, and it’s the first car that we see him driving as his own, not just as a hire car. In a hilariously, low-tech scene in 1962’s Dr. No, Sean Connery evades a large hearse on a mountain road that tries to ram him off the cliff in the small British roadster. Like many Bond cars to come it was British made and sleek, and set the tone right off the bat for the world’s coolest spy.

1967 Toyota 2000GT

The 2000GT is regarded as the most beautiful Japanese car of all time, and Japan's first supercar. It's also Bond's rarest ride, with only 351 produced, and only one being a drop-top.

(Toyota)

What stands out as one of Bond’s best-looking rides might also be the most special. The Toyota 2000GT was produced in extremely low numbers – 351 to be exact – from 1967 to 1970, and is regarded as Japan’s first supercar, and one of their best ever. The 2000GT made its appearance in You Only Live Twice, but without a roof, making it the only known example of a 2000GT roadster the world has ever seen. Talk about one of a kind.

1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

The Mach 1 marked a high point in Bond's relationship with American muscle cars, sliding through an alley on two wheels in 'Diamonds Are Forever.'

(AFP/Getty Images)

Following a stint with the Mercury Cougar in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Bond’s relationship with American muscle reached full swing with the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 seen in Diamonds Are Forever. Bond fans remember Diamonds fondly for its thrilling car chase, which featured the Mach 1 on two wheels (though, famously the wrong two wheels) squeezing through an alley in Las Vegas to evade the police. We’re used to seeing high-powered muscle cars up on their rear wheels, but in this case, we’ll take it.

1976 Lotus Esprit S1

The Esprit is arguably the second most famous Bond car, but not for being a car. The wedge-like sports car famously turned into a submarine in the 1977 film 'The Spy Who Loved Me.'

(Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Interestingly enough, the Lotus Esprit seen in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me may be the only Bond car that’s remembered for being something other than a car. After crashing his car into the water, Roger Moore’s Bond presses a button to turn it into a submarine, successfully evading the baddies chasing them. Even more interesting, however, is how the Esprit came to be Bond’s ride. Apparently Lotus dropped a never-before-seen prototype off at the production companies door with the badges removed, and the producers were so intrigued by it that they tracked down Lotus and asked for it to be in the movie. Bond-like boldness at its best.

1981 Citroën 2CV

The 2CV is the odd duck of this list, but the chase that it starred in is one of the all time classics, and made 'For Your Eyes Only' a much better movie in the process.

(Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)

What’s a ubiquitous French peoples’ car doing on a list of James Bond’s best cars, you ask? Go back and watch the chase scene in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only, we’d reply. After his Lotus self-destructs, Bond is forced to escape in Melina Havelock’s 2CV, and the ensuing chaos is one of the best and most humorous Bond chase scenes ever made. It’s impossible not to love the little yellow deux chevaux, and for that reason we had to put it in the top 10.

1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6

The GTV6 is another unconventional choice, but leave it to Bond to make the most of a stolen, rear-wheel-drive Italian coupe.

(United Artists)

It may not be a “looker” by conventional standards, but Bond isn’t one to be picky when he’s got a job to do. Besides, this is a rear-wheel-drive, Italian sports car, after all. The GTV6 made it’s debut in Octopussy after a hapless German citizen left it unattended while Bond was in need of a car, allowing him to make it to the circus in time to warn the NATO General of the Soviets’ devious plot. We’re both glad and surprised that it didn’t break down on the way there.

1985 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was Bond's first return to the British brand in 18 years, and a sultry, speedy one at that.

(Aurum Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing )

After an 18 year absence, Bond was back behind the wheel of an Aston Martin with all of the necessary gadgets, and a sexy one, at that. The V8 Vantage was the star in the 1987 film The Living Daylights, Timothy Dalton’s first film in the series. With lasers, missiles, outriggers, and tire spikes, it was almost easy to overlook this Aston’s muscle car good looks and screaming V-8 in favor of the gadgets… almost.

1999 BMW Z8

Bond's lackluster stint with the Bavarian brand left fans wanting more, but they delivered with the gorgeous Z8 in 'The World is Not Enough."

(Paul Severn/Getty Images)

When BMW signed on as the car brand of choice for Pierce Brosnan’s Bond films, fans were unconvinced. A base model Z3 roadster and subtle 750iL luxury sedan weren’t quite enough to get our gears going, but The World is Not Enough banished our BMW blues in 1999. We won’t mention exactly how it met a tragic end, but the achingly-gorgeous Z8 roadster was finally a fitting car for the world’s most famous spy.

2007 Aston Martin DBS

The DBS brought Aston back to the franchise along with newcomer Daniel Craig, and set a world record in the process.

(WOLFGANG RATTAY/REUTERS)

Just as Casino Royale rebooted the series in 2007 at the hands of Daniel Craig, the DBS V-12 revitalized Aston Martin’s stake in the Bond franchise as the sultry ride of choice. Gadgetry was minimal but refreshingly realistic, and who can resist the lines of one of the most beautiful cars of the last 25 years. Unfortunately, the DBS met its end in an accident that set the world record for the most rolls in a car at seven, thanks to the help of a nitrogen cannon behind the scenes.

1963 Aston Martin DB5

The DB5 is arguably the most famous movie car of all time, and has appeared in 6 Bond films. With looks like that, it's not hard to see why it made such an impact.

(Getty Images )

Getting a little anxious we wouldn’t include it? Fear not! The most iconic movie car of all time is also Bond’s best, with timeless looks, endless class, and all of the necessary tools to get the job done. Seen in 6 of the films, from Goldfinger to Skyfall, the Aston Martin DB5 is as much a part of the Bond franchise as any of the actors who have played the spy. We hope they find some way to incorporate it into every Bond film, but for now, we’re just glad it exists.